A virtual reality (VR) headset includes an electronic display element and a corrective optics block. The electronic display element outputs image light via a plurality of sub-pixels of different colors that are separated from each other by a dark space. The corrective optics block includes an optical element including a diffractive surface. The corrective optics block is configured to magnify the image light and generate optically corrected image light by using the diffractive surface to generate blur spots of each sub-pixel masking dark space between adjacent sub-pixels. Optically corrected light is directed form the corrective optics block to an exit pupil of the VR headset for presentation to a user.