Solar Maculopathy

A 23-year-old previously healthy male presents three days after directly viewing a solar eclipse for 45 seconds without protective eyewear. He reports bilateral central vision blurring, persistent central scotoma, dyschromatopsia, and metamorphopsia. Visual acuity is 20/60 OD and 20/50 OS. Dilated funduscopy reveals the lesion marked **A** in the diagram — a small yellow-red foveal lesion approximately 100–200 microns in diameter with surrounding pigmentary mottling. OCT shows hyporeflective defect at the photoreceptor outer segments with ellipsoid zone disruption and sparing of inner retinal layers. Fluorescein angiography is unremarkable. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying the lesion marked **A**?