Removing prescription lens reflections in webcams via polarizing filters

Prescription lens wearers know that their glasses can catch monitor reflections that can be seen whenever they are "on camera", in meetings, or when creating content.  This can be exacerbated by blue light, anti-reflective, or other coatings applied to the lenses. We can remove monitor reflections by covering webcams with polarizing filters.

Effect

Flat-panel monitors often have polarizing filters that emit light waves oriented in a particular direction. The light on our glasses and in our reflection is essentially polarized.

We can remove the monitor reflections by covering the camera with a polarizing filter. The filter needs to be rotated to orient the polarization to the minimum visible reflection.  The picture on the left shows the monitor reflection in my prescription lenses.  The picture on the right shows the lens reflection after putting a polarizing filter in front of my webcam.

Polarizing filters will not remove the entirety of the reflection. The monitor light is not completely unidirectional, and I'm using a cheap lens.

Polarizing Lens Fixture

I purchased a 58mm polarizing filter from Amazon and then 3D printed an adapter that slides onto my Logitech Brio.  The polarizing lens filter can be turned while mounted on the camera to observe the reflection change as the filter is rotated. I spin the lens to the point of lowest reflection.

37mm polarizing lenses that are already mounted with to clips that are intended top clip on to cell phones.  I did not try any of those.

Revision History

Created 7 2026