Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Jul. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014	Jan. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Oct. 31, 2013
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 455,500	$ 461,700	$ 434,700	$ 445,200	$ 468,000	$ 432,500	$ 412,300	$ 405,000	$ 1,797,060	$ 1,717,776	$ 1,587,725
Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,487,800	1,392,600	1,268,300
CooperSurgical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									309,300	325,200	319,400
Toric lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									440,100	428,600	388,100
Multifocal lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									162,100	147,000	121,700
Single-use sphere lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									357,200	306,600	271,000
Non single-use sphere and other eye care products and other [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 528,400	$ 510,400	$ 487,500