This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for a MEMS display apparatus incorporating light spreading elements. The display apparatus can include display elements formed over, and in electrical communication with a backplane. The backplane can include one or more light blocking layers isolated by one or more dielectric layers. Light used for forming an image can pass through the various layers of the backplane. One or more of the dielectric layers of the backplane can include light spreading elements for spreading the light emitted by the display apparatus. The light spreading elements can provide a wide angular light distribution of light emitted by the display apparatus and improve a viewing angle associated with the display apparatus. In some implementations, the light spreading elements can include hemispheric, cylindrical, prismatic, diffraction grating, and/or diffusive light spreading elements.