An apparatus and method are provided for a night vision system including a transparent overlay display that transmit direct-view light representing an intensified image and emits display light representing a display image. The overlay display includes photodetectors arranged to detect an intensity of the incoming direct-view light, and an intensity of the display light depends on the detected intensity. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is spatially modulated using an amplitude or envelope of the intensity that is based on the detected local intensity of the direct-view light. In some embodiments, the intensity of the display light is adjusted to correct for loss of the direct-view light. The intensity of the display light may be controlled using control circuitry that receives signals from the photodetectors, and the control circuitry may be located on the same semiconductor chip as the overlay display.