bobup
I have exactly the same problem as you, mate ie our level of astigmatism exceeds the JAA Class 1 maximum.
You should refer to the CAA website to check the current visual requirements for the issue of a JAA Class 1.
www.caa.co.uk Go to the medical department which is part of flight crew licensing. From memory, I don't think that laser correction is allowable for astigmatism or long sightedness at the moment because it is relatively new technology and the long term results are still unknown. Laser correction for short sight is allowable however and this technology has been around for a lot longer.
I have found the CAA very helpful indeed if you phone their medical department. The man you will probably speak to regarding eye problems is their optamologist, Adrian Chorley. Do a search on this forum and you should find more details about visual problems, and you can find their phone number on the CAA website.
Hope this helps.
UK