OBJECTIVE To evaluate the presence of fundus changes in degenerative myopia. METHODS Forty patients with refractive error of at least -6.00 diopters were selected for ophthalmologic examination followed by posterior pole photograph and echobiometry. RESULTS We studied 57 eyes of 37 patients with refractive error ranging from -6.25 to -28.50 diopters, with mean -14.05, and axial length ranging from 26.06 to 32.86 mm, with mean 28.01. We found a temporal crescent in 36.5% and a peripapillary one in 20% of the eyes. Choroidal vessels were seen in 35% of the eyes. Posterior pole changes were as follow: posterior staphyloma in 10.5%, Fuchs' spots in 3.5% and lacquer cracks in 1.5%. Peripheral retinal examination revealed paving stone chorioretinal atrophy in 17.5%, white without pressure in 10.5%, lattice degeneration in 5%, retinal tears in 3.5% and retinoschisis in 1.5% of the examined eyes. CONCLUSIONS Fundus changes that lead to decreased vision are common in patients with degenerative myopia. Peripheral retinal examination is very important in these patients due to the increased risk of retinal detachment.