Near-eye system having polarization waveguide

A near-eye display system includes a polarization waveguide having an in-coupling interface disposed proximate to a first end and an out-coupling interface disposed proximate to an opposite second end. The polarization waveguide is configured to convey light incident at the in-coupling interface to the out-coupling interface by inducing multiple changes in a polarization state of the light as the light traverses the polarization waveguide. At least a subset of the changes in polarization state induce the light to reflect within the polarization waveguide without relying on total internal reflection (TIR).