This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for providing displays. In one aspect, a display has an optical data path for transmitting data between a controller and an array of display elements. The controller couples to a transmitter for transmitting an optical signal and the display elements couple to a receiver that receives optical signals. The transmitter transmits an optical signal that carries control data for controlling the operation of the display element. The receiver receives the control data and provides the control data to a driver that uses the control data to control the operation of the display element. In some implementations, the control data is multiplexed with image data and communication data to provide an optical data path that carries image data and control data for forming an image and that carries communication data that can propagate through the display and to a remote location.