A rearview assembly for a vehicle comprising: a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in said housing that presents images of a scene rearward of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly (101, 101 A) disposed in said housing, said light sensor assembly (101, 101 A) comprising: a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light receiving surface of the light sensor, wherein said light sensor is an ambient light sensor for sensing light forward of the vehicle; a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through said first optical element in a first direction and a second direction; and a second optical element in optical communication with said first optical element, said second optical element configured to receive the light from said first optical element and alter a transmission path of the light through said second optical element in the first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through said second optical element such that said light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of said light sensor; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of said light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images presented by said rearview element. a housing configured for mounting to the vehicle; a rearview element disposed in said housing that presents images of a scene rearward of the vehicle; a light sensor assembly (101, 101 A) disposed in said housing, said light sensor assembly (101, 101 A) comprising: a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light receiving surface of the light sensor, wherein said light sensor is an ambient light sensor for sensing light forward of the vehicle; a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through said first optical element in a first direction and a second direction; and a second optical element in optical communication with said first optical element, said second optical element configured to receive the light from said first optical element and alter a transmission path of the light through said second optical element in the first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through said second optical element such that said light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of said light sensor; and a light sensor for outputting an electrical signal representing intensity of light impinging upon a light receiving surface of the light sensor, wherein said light sensor is an ambient light sensor for sensing light forward of the vehicle; a first optical element configured to receive light and alter a transmission path of the light through said first optical element in a first direction and a second direction; and a second optical element in optical communication with said first optical element, said second optical element configured to receive the light from said first optical element and alter a transmission path of the light through said second optical element in the first and second directions, wherein the light is passed through said second optical element such that said light sensor receives light from a field of view that is approximately 30 degrees to 60 degrees offset from a field of view of said light sensor; and a controller for receiving the electrical signal of said light sensor and for adjusting a brightness of the images presented by said rearview element.