Areas of Research Collaboration (aRc) are networks of like-minded individuals who are willing and able to develop research in areas of particular interest in paediatric ophthalmology, strabismus and visual sciences.

Initially funding may not be available, but if a study develops appropriately funding may be sought. aRcs work with a coordinating center linked to and reciprocally dependent on multiple global centres, creating a perpetual research motion.

The co-ordinating centre is responsible for setting up the initial research protocol and gaining local IRB. This protocol can be shared with all centres involved; each centre must gain local IRB approval or equivalent. Each centre must have a lead investigator and a contact person (separate from the lead investigator and a non – physician).