I agree that you can get work off the J-1 visa, I went that way myself. If you can get yourself married to an American woman while you're over there, then you can stay is the US. Remember, if you go down the US/Africa road, how will you get yourself back to the UK? Everyone wants to return home in the end. Keep exploring the LASIK option and at least get yourself a JAA Class 1, that's what I say.