Hi Flying Dumbells,
Sorry but, you are outside the regulations in both eyes.
Spherical equivalent does not count in this case. If you read the regulations carefully then the most ametropic meridian (highest) in each eye is
Right -7.25 and Left -7.50
the cyl powers are within the regulations.
The information given by your Ophthalmologist is incorrect, plus the fact the test will not be done in very bright light, in order to get a pinhole effect.
As to ask your optometrist to give you a lower prescription to try and get you just within regulations, if it were from me - NO CHANCE. Something goes wrong and the optom will be on the wrong end of a "fitness to practice case" and that is some where none of my collegues want to be.