Dame Judi says she’s not going blind

Judi Dench clarifies reports on eyesight issues: ‘I’m not going blind’

Dame Judi Dench has addressed recent stories surrounding her eyesight.

On Saturday, the Jane Eyre actress was reported as saying she was battling blindness, having been diagnosed with the medical condition macular degeneration.

Dench has now played down the seriousness of the affliction in a statement to Reuters.

“In response to the numerous articles in the media concerning my eye condition – macular degeneration – I do not wish for this to be overblown,” she stated.

“This condition is something that thousands and thousands of people all over the world are having to contend with. It’s something that I have learnt to cope with and adapt to – and it will not lead to blindness.”

The Oscar-winning actress also recently recalled how she overworked following the death of her husband Michael Williams from lung cancer in 2001.

Dench can be seen in The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel opposite Bill Nighy, Dev Patel andMaggie Smith, which will be released on February 24.