Interesting question.
I can't answer it, but some encouraging news is that in April 2006 the UK's National Institute for Clinical Excellence issued guidelines for laser treatment through the NHS, effectively endorsing laser treatment as effective and safe (bar the normal surgical risk)...
http://www.nice.org.uk/download.aspx?o=308514
I'll be writing to the CAA to point this out. It will be interesting to see whether they push at the next meeting of the medical sub-committes for the 'pre-operative dioptre limit' restriction to be lifted...
I'm not holding my breath, though...
waterpau