An organic light emitting device includes an organic light emitting element and a sensor. The organic light emitting element includes an organic layer between an anode and cathode. The sensor detects a quality that provides an indication of the degradation of the organic layer of the light emitting element. The sensor may be a chemical sensor or another type of sensor. The sensor may be fixed permanently within or outside the light emitting element, and electronic measures may be taken to reduce performance loss as a result of the detected degradation of the organic layer.