Final answer:
The key pre-operative assessment for repairing congenital ptosis includes evaluating the patient's thyroid system for conditions like Graves' Disease and measuring intraocular pressure to check for glaucoma.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most important pre-operative assessment when planning to surgically repair congenital ptosis in a patient involves evaluating any underlying systemic conditions that could affect surgery or recovery. A thorough review should be conducted by the surgeon, nurse, and anesthesia professional, discussing key concerns for the patient's recovery and care. Of particular importance is assessing the patient's thyroid system, especially in the context of conditions like Graves' Disease, which can present with ophthalmic manifestations such as proptosis and lid retraction.
Additionally, since people over 40 years of age are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma, measuring the intraocular pressure to check for this condition is a critical step in the pre-operative assessment. High intraocular pressure can indicate the presence of glaucoma, which could significantly impact both the surgical approach and the patient's postoperative care.