In what scenario is Pilocarpine commonly used prior to surgery?

Pilocarpine is a muscarinic agonist that induces miosis, or constriction of the pupil, by stimulating the sphincter muscle of the iris. This effect is particularly beneficial in certain surgical scenarios. Before laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI), pilocarpine is often used to constrict the pupil, which helps in enhancing visibility and access to the peripheral iris during the procedure. By reducing the size of the pupil, the surgeon can more easily direct the laser and achieve the desired outcome effectively.

While pilocarpine can be used in other contexts, such as managing angle-closure glaucoma, its specific role in preparing for LPI, where precise access to the anterior chamber is crucial, makes it the most appropriate choice in this situation. Thus, the use of pilocarpine to constrict the pupil before LPI is a common and effective practice in ocular surgery.