Only for your eyes vs for your eyes only

[ROBINDESBOIS]

Is there a difference in meaning? Do they both mean the same? If there is a difference in meaning what´s the rule to follow?

[Rusty]

When discussing something of a private matter or 'top secret', both phrases could mean the same thing. However, the well-known phrase is the latter.

If you're talking about something that is only applied to one's eyes, like makeup, the first phrase would be used.

[wrholt]

I concur with Rusty: they could be the same, but in some contexts we favor one over the other.

"for your eyes only" suggests that other people shouldn't be allowed to see it, while "only for your eyes" suggests that something is useful only in relation someone's eyes rather than to some other part of the body.

[poli]

These drops are only for your eyes. Do not place them in your ears.
For your eyes only means strictly entre nous.

[Garachico]

Concurring with everyone else, while I've heard for your eyes only a thousand times (thank Ian Fleming for that), I'd never heard only for your eyes. In fact, if you hadn't provided the context, I would have guessed that was a line from a romantic tune.