A polarization-based dynamic focuser for a near-eye display includes a first polarizer configured to polarize environmental light incident on the first polarizer, such that environmental light passing through the first polarizer toward a user eye has a first polarity. An image source is positioned between the user eye and the first polarizer. The image source is transparent to the environmental light and is configured to output image display light toward the user eye, at least some of the image display light having a second polarity. A dynamic lens is positioned between the user eye and the image source, and is configured to selectively focus incident light having the second polarity toward the user eye at a controllable virtual distance, where the dynamic lens does not affect incident light having the first polarity.