Enterprise-wide Sales Information (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2012		Jul. 31, 2011		Jul. 31, 2010
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 60,014,000		$ 55,657,000		$ 52,010,000
Revenues from External Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	60,014,000		55,657,000		52,010,000
Recognition of Deferred Revenue	1,500,000		1,000,000		0
Domestic [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	44,047,000		38,997,000		35,417,000
Revenues from External Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	44,047,000		38,997,000		35,417,000
International [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	15,967,000		16,660,000		16,593,000
Revenues from External Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	15,967,000		16,660,000		16,593,000
Ophthalmic [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	35,240,000		34,547,000		31,689,000
Revenues from External Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	35,240,000		34,547,000		31,689,000
OEM [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	23,973,000	[1]	19,456,000	[1]	12,082,000	[1]
Revenues from External Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	23,973,000	[1]	19,456,000	[1]	12,082,000	[1]
Other [Member]
Revenue from External Customer [Line Items]
Net sales	801,000	[2]	1,654,000	[2]	8,239,000	[2]
Revenues from External Customers [Line Items]
Net sales	$ 801,000	[2]	$ 1,654,000	[2]	$ 8,239,000	[2]

[1] Revenues from OEM represent sales of electrosurgery generators, disposable bipolar forceps and related accessories, and royalties from Codman, multi-channel generators, disposable ultrasonic tips and related accessories to Stryker and certain laser probes to Iridex Corporation. In addition, recognition of deferred revenues of $1.5 million and $1.0 million from Codman and Alcon, respectively, are included in this category for the periods ending July 31, 2012 and 2011. There was no recognition of deferred revenue recorded in fiscal 2010.

[2] Revenues from Other represent direct neurosurgery revenues and other miscellaneous revenues.