Judi Dench has revealed that she has macular degeneration. The Oscar-winning actress is well-known for her role in the James Bond movies, Shakespeare in Love, Chocolat, Iris and GoldenEye. Her announcement aligns with National Age-Related Macular Degeneration Awareness Month.
There are two types of the disease, wet and dry. Dry macular degeneration is most common and occurs when small deposits build up under the macula. The dry form tends to progress gradually, unlike the wet form which can lead to rapid vision impairment. The wet form is caused by the growth of new and abnormal blood vessels that leak blood into the eye. Dench indicated she has the dry form in one eye and the wet form in the other eye.
Common symptoms of this disease include a dark area in the center field of vision, blurred vision, or other vision distortions. Macular degeneration is not painful and can be treated if caught early enough, which reinforces the importance of seeing your eye doctor on a regular basis.
Not smoking, wearing sunglasses, getting exercise and eating nutrient-rich fruits and vegetables can help reduce risks of macular degeneration. Family history is also a factor. Dench’s mother had macular degeneration.
To learn more about macular degeneration, click here. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately.
More news articles about Judi Dench’s condition:
- ABC: Dame Judi Dench Among Millions With Macular Degeneration
- Fox: Judi Dench says she has macular degeneration, but is not going blind