Business Segment Information (Schedule Of Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010	Jul. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2010
Total net sales	$ 351,396	$ 295,635	$ 969,926	$ 845,165
Total operating income (loss)	45,887	51,396	160,935	127,408
Interest expense	3,217	8,729	14,436	28,684
Loss on extinguishment of debt	0	0	16,487	0
Litigation settlement charge	0	0	0	27,000
Other income (expense), net	386	985	(128)	(1,174)
Income before income taxes	43,056	43,652	129,884	70,550
Toric Lens [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Total net sales	88,728	76,101	249,397	214,359
Multifocal Lens [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Total net sales	19,677	18,405	54,390	53,373
Single-Use Sphere Lens [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Total net sales	64,628	53,545	176,498	150,900
Non Single-Use Sphere And Other Eye Care Products And Other [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Total net sales	125,219	100,990	336,887	288,643
CooperVision [Member]
Total net sales	298,252	249,041	817,172	707,275
Total operating income (loss)	41,528	47,555	148,342	114,689
CooperSurgical [Member]
Total net sales	53,144	46,594	152,754	137,890
Total operating income (loss)	13,013	11,851	37,481	33,006
Headquarters [Member]
Total operating income (loss)	$ (8,654)	$ (8,010)	$ (24,888)	$ (20,287)