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 night vision system includes an intensifier with a flat exit face, an overlay display that is flat/planar, and planar, diffractive lens. The direct-view light and the display light exit the overlay display with the same phase curvature (e.g., a flat phase curvature). The planar, diffractive lens induces a spherical phase curvature on the light exiting the overlay display. The phase curvature induced by the planar, diffractive lens matches the phase curvature of a legacy intensifier in which the final element is fiberoptic inverting element with a curved exit face. Accordingly, the combination of the intensifier, overlay display, and planar, diffractive lens can replace the legacy intensifier while maintaining the design specifications of the night vision system.