Final answer:
Pilocarpine is a useful treatment for open-angle glaucoma because it constricts the pupil and causes the ciliary muscle to contract, facilitating the drainage of aqueous humor and reducing intraocular pressure.
Step-by-step explanation:
The action of pilocarpine that makes it a useful treatment for open-angle glaucoma is its ability to constrict the pupil and cause the ciliary muscle to contract. By doing so, pilocarpine opens perforations at the base of the cornea, allowing for the drainage of aqueous humor from the anterior compartment of the eye and reducing intraocular pressure. This helps to relieve the symptoms and slow the progression of glaucoma.