Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 556,000	$ 514,700	$ 1,577,500	$ 1,448,200
Operating income (loss)	112,800	102,700	320,600	249,900
Interest expense	8,300	8,000	23,300	20,900
Other (income) expense, net	(3,200)	1,300	(100)	2,200
Income before income taxes	107,700	93,400	297,400	226,800
CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	437,300	409,900	1,235,000	1,165,500
Operating income (loss)	109,500	99,400	308,900	235,700
CooperSurgical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	118,700	104,800	342,500	282,700
Operating income (loss)	14,900	14,700	48,200	47,900
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(11,600)	(11,400)	(36,500)	(33,700)
Toric lens | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	138,300	126,100	390,800	354,100
Multifocal lens | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	46,800	44,300	132,100	127,200
Single-use sphere lens | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	115,800	104,300	319,500	292,700
Non single-use sphere and other | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 136,400	$ 135,200	$ 392,600	$ 391,500