Transimpedance amplifier with inverted output
No, do not invert the sender.  That would leave the laser on during idle, something you probably want to avoid.

You can flip around the receiving circuit so that the photodiode is between the positive supply and the inverting opamp input:



When the diode produces current, the opamp output will go low.

You have to think carefully about what power voltage is used for what.  In the above circuit, the opamp can be powered from the same voltage as at the top of the diode only if the opamp's common mode range extends all the way to its positive supply.  Otherwise, you'll need a little higher voltage for the opamp positive supply.

If the opamp negative supply is ground, then you have to make sure its active output range gets low enough for the digital input to reliably interpret that voltage as a low.

A CMOS "rail to rail" opamp might be good enough to use common power for the diode and the opamp.  However, you need to check the datasheet carefully to see what "rail to rail" really means.