Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2018	Jul. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 660,000	$ 556,000	$ 1,881,300	$ 1,577,500
Operating income (loss)	115,600	112,800	280,400	320,600
Interest expense	22,800	8,300	59,900	23,300
Other expense (income), net	2,400	(3,200)	1,300	(100)
Income before income taxes	90,400	107,700	219,200	297,400
CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	489,100	437,300	1,401,400	1,235,000
Operating income (loss)	125,400	109,500	361,100	308,900
CooperSurgical
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	170,900	118,700	479,900	342,500
Operating income (loss)	1,600	14,900	(37,500)	48,200
Corporate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income (loss)	(11,400)	(11,600)	(43,200)	(36,500)
Toric lens | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	153,600	138,300	442,200	390,800
Multifocal lens | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	52,700	46,800	148,800	132,100
Single-use sphere lens | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	137,600	115,800	378,300	319,500
Non single-use sphere and other | CooperVision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 145,200	$ 136,400	$ 432,100	$ 392,600