A display device is provided having a quantum dot formed directly on a surface or substrate of a backlight unit, without requiring an intervening layer. An optically transmissive layer is formed thereon. The quantum dot film may be provided that includes a population of optical features to permit the omission of additional films, such as a separate optical film. A population of optical features may include a population of embedded microspheres to achieve optical effects, to improve the overall thickness uniformity of the quantum dot film, or both. Additionally or alternatively, the quantum dot film may be provided having optical features embossed thereon, such as reflective and/or refractive features, prisms, grooves, grooved prisms, lenticular lenses, micro-lenses, micro-spheres, any other lenses, pitches, or other suitable brightness enhancement and/or optical features. Thereby, a separate optical film may be omitted from the overall device structure.