Current limiting for at the input side of the transimpedance amplifier ( photodiode protection)
The only possible high-current path that I see is the protection network on the op-amp. If you add a resistor of a few K in series with the (inverting) input it should limit the current and protect the diode. You can parallel the resistor with a small capacitor (100pF or something like that) if you need to speed it up (the slew rate should be limited enough by your supply bypass capacitors to limit the current through the capacitor). 

Reverse breakdown is not damaging for diodes if the current is limited. The maximum allowable current would depend on the diode.