An in-line hermetic seal for an optical fiber which has an outer diameter and a stripped mid-section contains the stripped mid-section. A tube has an interior with a diameter larger than the outer diameter of the optical fiber and has an opening through a wall of the tube to the interior. The tube and the optical fiber having the stripped mid-section extending through the tube define an annular space therebetween. Soldering means fills the annular space. Sealing means holds the optical fiber approximately centered in ends of the tube. The stripped mid-section is contained by the tube, the sealing means and the soldering means. A method in accordance with the present invention is also described.