A mobile computing device (102, 103) comprising: a display having a high-resolution area and a through-transmissive area through which light can be transmitted, the through-transmissive area including: pixels that are spaced in a repeating pattern according to a first pixel density that is lower than a second pixel density of the high-resolution area, wherein the through-transmissive area has a pixel density that is lower than other regions of the active pixel area, and wherein the through-transmissive area comprises circuit elements (240, 242) configured to control the pixels, wherein the circuit elements are arranged such that they diffract visible light that passes through the through-transmissive area; and a light-blocking layer having an opaque pattern that is aligned with the circuit elements to block light after propagating through gaps formed by the circuit elements, wherein the light-blocking layer includes a pattern of opaque portions and transparent portions; and a light sensor positioned behind the through-transmissive area, such that the circuit elements and the light-blocking layer are between a surface of the display and the light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to receive light through the display that is not blocked by the light-blocking layer, and wherein the opaque portions are positioned below, and aligned with, the circuit elements to prevent light transmitted through the through-transmissive area and diffracted by the circuit elements from reaching the light sensor. a display having a high-resolution area and a through-transmissive area through which light can be transmitted, the through-transmissive area including: pixels that are spaced in a repeating pattern according to a first pixel density that is lower than a second pixel density of the high-resolution area, wherein the through-transmissive area has a pixel density that is lower than other regions of the active pixel area, and wherein the through-transmissive area comprises circuit elements (240, 242) configured to control the pixels, wherein the circuit elements are arranged such that they diffract visible light that passes through the through-transmissive area; and a light-blocking layer having an opaque pattern that is aligned with the circuit elements to block light after propagating through gaps formed by the circuit elements, wherein the light-blocking layer includes a pattern of opaque portions and transparent portions; and pixels that are spaced in a repeating pattern according to a first pixel density that is lower than a second pixel density of the high-resolution area, wherein the through-transmissive area has a pixel density that is lower than other regions of the active pixel area, and wherein the through-transmissive area comprises circuit elements (240, 242) configured to control the pixels, wherein the circuit elements are arranged such that they diffract visible light that passes through the through-transmissive area; and a light-blocking layer having an opaque pattern that is aligned with the circuit elements to block light after propagating through gaps formed by the circuit elements, wherein the light-blocking layer includes a pattern of opaque portions and transparent portions; and a light sensor positioned behind the through-transmissive area, such that the circuit elements and the light-blocking layer are between a surface of the display and the light sensor, wherein the light sensor is configured to receive light through the display that is not blocked by the light-blocking layer, and wherein the opaque portions are positioned below, and aligned with, the circuit elements to prevent light transmitted through the through-transmissive area and diffracted by the circuit elements from reaching the light sensor.