Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2012	Jul. 31, 2012	Apr. 30, 2012	Jan. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Jul. 31, 2011	Apr. 30, 2011	Jan. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2012	Oct. 31, 2011	Oct. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 396,301	$ 378,186	$ 344,589	$ 326,060	$ 360,909	$ 351,396	$ 325,301	$ 293,229	$ 1,445,136	$ 1,330,835	$ 1,158,517
CooperVision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,189,244	1,121,138	970,483
CooperSurgical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									255,892	209,697	188,034
Toric lens [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									357,211	339,184	292,732
Multifocal lens [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									94,443	74,741	71,603
Single-use sphere lens [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									267,090	243,624	207,250
Non single-use sphere and other eye care products and other [Member] | CooperVision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 470,500	$ 463,589	$ 398,898