What Does Sturge-Weber Syndrome (SWS) Look Like?
The most apparent sign of SWS is a birthmark or port wine stain (PWS) on the face. The PWS is due to an overabundance of capillaries just beneath the surface of the involved areas. When the port wine stain covers the eye and forehead region of the face, SWS should be considered. In rare instances, SWS is present even in the absence of the PWS. SWS consists of three basic types involving a PWS on the face, eye or the brain: Type 1, the most common, involves both facial and brain vascular malformations and may involve glaucoma. Seizures usually occur within the first year of life as a result of the brain involvement. Eye involvement is normally noted within the first year of life as well. The white portion of the eye may appear bloodshot due to the overgrowth of blood vessels on the eye. In rare cases, the facial and brain aspects involve both sides of the head. Mental and physical development can be impaired to varying degrees, depending on the amount of vascular birthmark throughout th
