What is the primary indication for pilocarpine?

Pilocarpine is a medication primarily indicated for the treatment of acute glaucoma attacks. It functions as a muscarinic agonist, which means it stimulates specific receptors in the eye, leading to miosis (constriction of the pupil) and increased outflow of aqueous humor. This action helps to lower intraocular pressure, which is critical during acute glaucoma episodes where elevated pressure can lead to vision loss or damage to the optic nerve.

In contrast, other listed conditions do not directly align with the primary use of pilocarpine. While bradycardia refers to a slow heart rate and may require treatment, pilocarpine does not address this condition. Urinary retention typically necessitates other types of medications, such as cholinergic agents that act specifically on the bladder. Lastly, for motion sickness, treatments tend to involve anticholinergic medications rather than muscarinic agonists like pilocarpine. Thus, the indication of pilocarpine in the context of acute glaucoma is both appropriate and significant for managing this ocular emergency.