In this paper, the generalized projection function (GPF) is de4ned. Both the integral projection unction (IPF) and the variance projection function (VPF) can be viewed as special cases of GPF. Another special case of GPF, i. e. the hybrid projection function (HPF), is developed through experimentally determining the optimal parameters of GPF. Experiments on three face databases show that IPF, VPF, and HPF are all e: ective in eye detection. Nevertheless, HPF is better than VPF, while VPF is better than IPF. Moreover, IPF is found to be more e: ective on occidental than on oriental faces, and VPF is more e: ective on oriental than on occidental faces. Analysis of the detections shows that this e: ect may be owed to the shadow of the noses and eyeholes of di:erent races of people.