A method of fabricating an optical waveguide fiber that includes the steps of providing a cylindrical glass optical fiber preform having a longitudinally extending centerline hole, and closing the hole under conditions suitable to result in uniform and symmetric hole closure. The method may include first plugging a first end and a second end of the centerline hole to prevent gas flow therethrough. The method preferably involves closing the centerline hole of the preform by drawing the preform down into an optical waveguide fiber.