Methods and apparatus for an optical system for LEDs for control of light output from the LEDs. A plurality of optical pieces may be provided with each being over one or more LEDs and configured to direct a majority of light output from such one or more LEDs toward a desired illumination direction. A shield array may be placed over the optical pieces and include a plurality of openings each sized to at least partially receive one of the optical pieces and a plurality of blocking shields extending upward from and provided partially over one of the openings and one of the individual optical pieces. The blocking shields block stray light rays that are transmitted from one of the individual optical pieces in a backlight direction away from the desired illumination direction.