We present a new iris segmentation algorithm based onthe Generalized Structure Tensor (GST), which also includesan eyelid detection step. It is compared with traditionalsegmentation systems based on Hough transformand integro-differential operators. Results are given usingthe CASIA-IrisV3-Interval database. Segmentation performanceunder different degrees of image defocus and motionblur is also evaluated. Reported results shows the effectivenessof the proposed algorithm, with similar performancethan the others in pupil detection, and clearly betterperformance for sclera detection for all levels of degradation.Verification results using 1D Log-Gabor wavelets arealso given, showing the benefits of the eyelids removal step.These results point out the validity of the GST as an alternativeto other iris segmentation systems. © 2012 IEEE.