Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013	Apr. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2013	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 411,852	$ 411,993	$ 384,041	$ 379,839	$ 396,301	$ 378,186	$ 344,589	$ 326,060	$ 1,587,725	$ 1,445,136	$ 1,330,835
Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,268,319	1,189,244	1,121,138
CooperSurgical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									319,406	255,892	209,697
Toric lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									388,066	357,211	339,184
Multifocal lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									121,734	94,443	74,741
Single-use sphere lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									271,000	267,090	243,624
Non single-use sphere and other eye care products and other [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 487,519	$ 470,500	$ 463,589