Business Segment Information (Schedule of Segment Information) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Oct. 31, 2017	Jul. 31, 2017	Apr. 30, 2017	Jan. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Jul. 31, 2016	Apr. 30, 2016	Jan. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2017	Oct. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 561.5	$ 556.0	$ 522.4	$ 499.1	$ 518.7	$ 514.7	$ 483.8	$ 449.6	$ 2,139.0	$ 1,966.8	$ 1,797.1
Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									1,674.1	1,577.2	1,487.8
CooperSurgical [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									464.9	389.6	309.3
Toric lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									526.8	480.2	440.1
Multifocal lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									177.2	169.8	162.1
Single-use sphere lens [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									438.3	403.1	357.2
Non single-use sphere and other eye care products and other [Member] | Coopervision [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net sales									$ 531.8	$ 524.1	$ 528.4