Systems, devices, and methods for making and using curved holographic optical elements (“HOEs”) are described. A hologram to apply a first optical power to playback light may be embedded in an internal volume of a curved lens, where the curved lens has a first curvature to apply a second optical power to the playback light and a second curvature opposite the first curvature to define the internal volume of the curved lens. The first optical power may be equal in magnitude and opposite in sign to the second optical power. The curved HOEs described herein are particularly well-suited for use when integrated with a curved eyeglass lens to form the transparent combiner of a virtual retina display.