A 32-year-old man with advanced AIDS (CD4 count 28/μL) presents with progressive visual field defects and floaters. Fundoscopy reveals confluent white retinal opacification along vessel distributions with the characteristic **"pizza-pie" appearance** shown in the diagram. The structure marked **B** (hemorrhage along vessels) is a key distinguishing feature of this condition. Which of the following best explains why the presence of hemorrhages along vessels, as marked **B**, is critical in differentiating this diagnosis from cotton wool spots?