The herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common virus that can affect the eye. Ocular infections by HSV are generally unilateral and they are often characterised by recurring episodes of epithelial dendritic keratitis. The infection can lead to scarring, corneal thinning and subsequent corneal grafting in a small proportion of patients. The article describes a retrospective study to assess the surgical and optometric refractive management of a group of adult patients who underwent corneal transplantation for stromal scarring due to herpes simplex keratitis.