A light emitting diode (LED) includes a p-type layer of material, an n-type layer of material and an active layer between the p-type layer and the n-type layer. A roughened layer of transparent material is adjacent one of the p-type layer of material and the n-type layer of material. The roughened layer of transparent material has a refractive index close to or substantially the same as the refractive index of the material adjacent the layer of transparent material, and may be a transparent oxide material or a transparent conducting material. An additional layer of conductive material may be between the roughened layer and the n-type or p-type layer.