Dame Judi Dench has spoken out about her failing eyesight that has left her unable to read.
The Oscar-winning actor suffers from macular degeneration which is condition that leads to gradual vision loss - It's an age-related condition which her mother also had.
"I never want to make much of it, but it is difficult – very, very difficult” she told
the Hollywood Reporter.
"I can't read anymore. I can't paint like I used to. I try to watch movies, but it's quite difficult. But these are all of the negatives. I don't want to really think about all that. What I can do, I do. And I somehow get by."
The Hollywood Reporter notes that even before the star’s eyesight began to decline, she preferred to have her scripts read to her, as Steve Coogan did in
Philomena.
"I suppose it's the child in me. I think somebody coming around and telling you a story is irresistible" she said.
However, despite her condition, the actress insists she has no plans to retire.
"I heard a woman being interviewed on the radio the other day who was 105, and I expected this very frail voice, but this wonderful voice came out and she said to this reporter who was interviewing her, 'I'll tell you one thing,' she said, 'Don't stop anything. I never stop anything I'm doing because otherwise I'll never get started again.' And I thought, 'That'll do."'
