The present subject matter provides a transitional layer and related methods, used to increase the transmission or reflection of light between two mediums having different indices of refraction. The transitional layer is disposed between the two mediums and the transmission or reflection of light is increased by the interaction of light with the transitional layer. The transitional layer has light scattering particles dispersed therein, a single-layer gradient index-of-refraction, a multi-layer gradient index-of-refraction, alternating layers of high and low index-of-refraction, or a combination thereof, in order to increase the transmission or reflectance of light between the two mediums.