Sight for sore eyes. where does that phrase come from?

Factual Questions
1

I was just watching a preview of Attack of the Clones.

On seeing Natalie Portman wearing that skintight white suit I was inspired to say “ooh she’s a sight for sore eyes!”

Then I started to wonder where the phrase comes from. Hence this post.
So where does it come from?

2

If your eyes are sore, then you don’t want to strain them - a good looking person is pleasent to look at and therefore not a strain on the eyes (the visual equivalent of easy listening)…

Just a WAG

Grim