🔗 Share this article The Esteemed Actress Shares Memory Struggles But Retains Shakespeare Verses. The iconic performer Judi Dench has spoken candidly about the impact of growing older on her vision and recall, stating she often struggles to recall upcoming appointments – yet can effortlessly recite 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 team confirmed that this kind of help are at times necessary. Dench added that her degenerative eye condition currently causes faces to appear "in a fog" even up close. A Condition That 'Crushes' "It's devastating," Dench noted, explaining that it prevents her from watching television. "I miss seeing Clive Myrie presenting Mastermind," she continued, "but I can at least hear the questions." The actress, celebrating 91 on Tuesday, is fronting a new documentary exploring her deep connection with Shakespeare's works. Audiences will also see her being interviewed by Kenneth Branagh in a separate show 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 assault allegations in 2023. "Kevin was cleared," she stated, "and I hear from Kevin, we text." In recent months, Dench said she now requires full-time assistance in public for fear of falling over due to her failing eyesight. She was first diagnosed with age-related macular degeneration in 2012, a progressive disease that is the primary reason of vision loss in the UK. Coping with New Realities Dench has attributed the condition with her de facto retirement from film work. "I can no longer see properly on set," she explained, and continued: "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 many companions who will teach me the script." Dench's most recent film appearance was a small role in the 2022 Christmas movie Spirited; prior to that she had a larger role in Allelujah. The same year also brought her her eighth Oscar nomination for Belfast. A Continued Public Presence Dench still appears often at events, however, including at fundraisers including a recent one last month with Ian McKellen. In May, she participated in a live sculpture for charity. She noted she could not see the final artwork, but would touch it "if they let me."