1. A method of operation of an eye detection system for safe detection of the eye positions of a subject, the method comprising: estimating the distance from the eye detection system to the subject; if the subject is too close to the eye detection system: reducing the power level of at least one primary light source of the eye detection system; if the subject is not too close to the eye detection system: increasing the power level of the at least one primary light source of the eye detection system provided the power level is below a predetermined maximum power level; sensing primary light from the at least one primary light source reflected from the subject to obtain at least one image; and detecting the eye positions of the subject dependent upon the at least one image, wherein estimating the distance from the eye detection system to the subject comprises one of: processing the at least one image to estimate the intensity of primary light reflected from the eyes of the subject; processing the at least one image to estimate the size of an image of primary light reflected from an eye of the subject; and processing the at least one image to estimate the size of an image of the face of the subject.