Abstract: An optical waveguide fiber is made substantially bend less resistant by providing a core member partially detached from a cladding member. A core rod is suspended within a cladding preform. The assembly is heated and drawn into a waveguide fiber. The partial detachment is achieved by proper choice of preform dimensions and drawing parameters. Alternatively, a positive pressure may be applied to the preform interior to produce the partial detachment. The partial detachment of the core member from the cladding substantially isolates the core member from external forces, thereby making the waveguide substantially bend resistant. The preferred detachment fraction is more than 95% of the core member periphery. Essentially any waveguide which can be fabricated using a core rod inserted in a cladding tube, can be made to have a partially detached core member. The waveguide types to which the invention applies include single mode, multimode and polarization retaining single mode.