Without correction, a pilot who requires refractive corrective lenses has - for all intents and purposes - visual performance no better than that of a person outside these limits.
Agreed.
An approach similar to that of the FAA (or perhaps to that of the Australian CAA..) would eliminate all these problems, and the "jumping through hoops" of deviation. However this isn't "FAA-land" and people in a situation like mine have no choice but going via the "deviation route". Personally I am thankful the UK CAA devised such a procedure. I do feel that it somehow restricts my training options (should the CAA decide positively on my case!). Better than having none though.
My "appeal" still stands. Anyone having gone through the deviation route without a PPL in the first place would be very welcome to contribute with any info they might feel worthwhile sharing.