Neuro-optometry · Vision Science
Shimrit Shani
PhD candidate in Vision Sciences at Bar-Ilan University and Head of the Neuro-optometry Department at Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center.
About
I am an optometrist and vision scientist working where clinical rehabilitation meets research. Since 2018 I have headed the Neuro-optometry Department at Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center, where I assess and treat visual and oculomotor impairments following brain injury.
In my doctoral research at Bar-Ilan University (with Prof. Yoram Bonneh) I develop brief, bedside eye-tracking assessments that turn the simple act of following a moving target into objective markers of brain function — aiming to support evaluation and monitoring of patients with traumatic brain injury during rehabilitation.
Based in Petah Tikva, Israel.
Experience
- 2018 – present Head of Neuro-optometry Department Loewenstein Rehabilitation Medical Center
- 2018 – present Optometry Licensing Examiner Ministry of Health, Israel
Education
- 2022 – 2026 PhD, Vision Sciences Bar-Ilan University
- 2020 – 2022 M.Sc Vision Sciences, with honors Bar-Ilan University
- B.Sc Optometry Bar-Ilan University
Research focus
Publications
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Oculomotor markers of functional impairment in traumatic brain injury using simple and predictive visual tracking
Frontiers in Neurology, 17:1822886 · doi:10.3389/fneur.2026.1822886
A bedside, head-free eye-tracking paradigm in 30 patients with TBI and 30 controls revealed deficits across multiple oculomotor indices that correlated with functional independence — but not with initial injury severity.
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Bedside Assessment of Visual Tracking in Traumatic Brain Injury: Comparing Simple and Predictive Paradigms Using Multiple Oculomotor Markers
bioRxiv · doi:10.1101/2025.03.27.645678
Simple and predictive tracking paradigms compared across saccadic pursuit, pupil response and vergence markers, with preliminary data from patients with disorders of consciousness.
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ARVO Annual Meeting abstract
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science
Contact
For research collaboration, clinical inquiries or speaking invitations, feel free to reach out.