Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Jul. 31, 2015	Apr. 30, 2015	Jan. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 518,700	$ 514,700	$ 483,800	$ 449,600	$ 455,500	$ 461,700	$ 434,700	$ 445,200	$ 1,966,814	$ 1,797,060	$ 1,717,776
Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,577,200	1,487,800	1,392,600
CooperSurgical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									389,600	309,300	325,200
Toric lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									480,200	440,100	428,600
Multifocal lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									169,800	162,100	147,000
Single-use sphere lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									403,100	357,200	306,600
Non single-use sphere and other eye care products and other [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 524,100	$ 528,400	$ 510,400