My eyesight was -5 and I was given a JAR Class 1.
I went to an optician in London who is also a pilot and CAA examiner and knows exactly what the CAA want. He prepared a report which was sent off to Gatwick. It took time but I was able to upgrade to a Class 1 at my medical renewal in January.
So there is some hope. Keep trying!
(edited due to extreme short-sightedness)
[ 08 August 2001: Message edited by: Red_Devil ]