Which sinuses are affected in a case of acute sinusitis if pain is reported behind the eye?

In cases of acute sinusitis where pain is reported behind the eye, the ethmoid sinuses are typically affected. The ethmoid sinuses are located between the nose and the eyes, and they can cause discomfort in the area around the eyes when inflamed. This is because the nerve pathways for sensation in this area can be impacted by the inflammatory process associated with sinusitis.

The maxillary sinuses, located in the cheeks, are more likely to cause pain and pressure in the cheeks or upper jaw. The frontal sinuses, located above the eyes, can lead to forehead pain and pressure, while the sphenoid sinuses, situated deeper in the skull, might cause pain that radiates to the back of the head or neck. However, the specific sensation of pain behind the eye correlates most closely with the involvement of the ethmoid sinuses due to their anatomical proximity to the eye.