What is disclosed are systems and methods of optical feedback for pixel identification, evaluation, and calibration for active matrix light emitting diode device (AMOLED) and other emissive displays. Optical feedback is utilized to calibrate pixel whose output luminance exceeds a threshold difference from a reference value, and may include the use of sparse pixel activation to ensure pixel identification and luminance measurement, as well as a coarse calibration procedure for programming the starting calibration data for a fine calibration stage.