Due to their unique properties of photoluminescence, biocompatibility, photostability, ease of preparing, and low cost, carbon dots have been studied extensively over the last decade. Soon after their discovery, it was realized that their main optical attributes may be protected, enhanced, and tuned upon proper surface passivation or functionalization. Therefore, up to date, numerous polymers have been used for these purposes, resulting to higher-quality carbon dots regarding their quantum yield or further emission-related aspects and compared to the primitive, bare ones. Hence, this review aims to clarify the polymers' role and effect on carbon dots and their features focusing on the quality characteristics of their photoluminescence upon passivation or functionalization. Given in fact the numbers of relevant publications, emphasis is given on recent articles capturing the latest advances for polymers in carbon dots for expanding emission lifetimes, advancing quantum yields, tuning emission wavelengths, enhancing specific spectral range absorption, and tailoring optoelectronic properties in general.