The invention relates to a light emitting device (2) comprising a primary light source (10), a light converting medium (14) and an optical structure (16). The primary light source is disposed on a substrate (11). The light converting medium comprising phosphors (14) is arranged for converting at least a part of the primary light to secondary light (II) of a different wavelength. The light converting medium is in a remote phosphor configuration. The optical structure is arranged for receiving a part of the secondary light (II) from the light converting medium and is configured for redirecting the part of the secondary light in a direction towards the first plane but away for the primary light source (10). By providing an optical structure redirecting the secondary light away from the primary light source, absorption of the secondary light by the primary light source can be substantially reduced or eliminated. The luminous efficacy is improved by redirecting this secondary light in a direction such that it is transmitted from the light emitting device.