A process for preparing a sterile ready-to-use aqueous pharmaceutical formulation comprises a high molecular weight hyaluronic acid salt (HA) at a specified concentration, comprising the steps of: providing an aqueous formulation comprising high molecular weight HA at a concentration of less than the specified final concentration passing said aqueous formulation through a filter having a pore sizeless than 0.45 pm concentrating said aqueous formulation by applying a vacuum and boiling off water until said specified concentration is reached.
