🔗 Share this article Judi Dench Shares Memory Struggles Yet Holds Onto Shakespeare Verses. The iconic actress Judi Dench has spoken candidly about the effects of growing older on her vision and memory, stating she frequently finds it hard to recall immediate plans – yet can easily recall long sections of the Bard's work. "I have no memory of what I'm doing tomorrow, I swear to you," she told a magazine. Her assistants confirmed that this kind of help are sometimes necessary. She further mentioned that her degenerative eye condition now means faces to appear "in a fog" even up close. A 'Crusher' of a Condition "It's devastating," Dench noted, adding that it prevents her from watching television. "I miss seeing Clive Myrie hosting Mastermind," she continued, "however I can still hear the questions." Dench, who turns 91 this week, is leading a new documentary exploring her longstanding relationship with Shakespeare's works. Audiences will also see her in conversation with Kenneth Branagh in another programme airing over the Christmas holidays. On Friends and Exoneration Dench also mentioned remaining in touch with actor Kevin Spacey, who was found not guilty of sexual assault charges in 2023. "Kevin has been exonerated," Dench affirmed, "and we are in contact, we text." In recent months, Dench said she needs constant help in public to avoid tripping due to her vision problems. She was first diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012, a progressive issue that is the leading cause of sight loss in the UK. Adapting to Change She has credited the condition with her effective stepping back from acting. "I can no longer see properly on set," she explained, adding: "Reading is also impossible. But you just deal with it." "It's challenging if I have any length of a part. I have not discovered a way. Because I have so many friends who will teach me the script." Her last screen credit was a small role in the 2022 holiday film Spirited; earlier that year she had a larger role in Allelujah. That year also brought her her eighth Academy Award nod for Belfast. A Continued Public Presence She continues to appear often at events, however, including at charity events including a recent one last month alongside Ian McKellen. This past spring, she participated in a live sculpture for charity. She noted she could not see the finished sculpture, but would touch it "if permitted."